10 takeaways from the Celtics’ gritty win over the Pelicans

#1 – Rim frequency

In opposition to the New Orleans Pelicans, the Boston Celtics had their highest quantity of rim makes an attempt of the season. With 37% on their makes an attempt inside 4 ft from the basket, the Celtics had extra makes an attempt within the paint (47) than from the three-point line (44).

The Celtics have struggled within the fourth quarter these days, and one of many causes is how a lot they depend on soar photographs. Final evening, they used rim strain to recover from the fourth-quarter hump and generate straightforward photographs on the rim. They went again to their regular empty-side motion to stretch the protection.

To generate house on the rim, in addition they used Kristaps Porzingis’ post-up. They used the large man to stretch Yves Missi removed from the rim so Jayson Tatum may reduce into the open house.

Within the final quarter, the Celtics solely took 5 makes an attempt from three, whereas taking 13 photographs on the rim and 11 free throws. It was fairly uncommon for the Celtics to dwell so near the rim—however when their photographs aren’t falling, they had been capable of finding one other method to get the W.

#2 – Offensive rebounds

The story of the final recreation was rebounding—or fairly the dearth of it. Nicely, the Celtics turned it round final evening in opposition to the Pelicans. Joe Mazzulla’s males dominated the glass. That they had their 4th-best offensive rebounding recreation of the season and their 2nd-best defensive rebounding recreation.

One-third of the offensive rebounds got here from Kristaps Porzingis, which may be very encouraging. Certainly, the Celtics have normally been higher on the offensive rebound with the Latvian on the bench. On this final recreation, the Celtics generated the equal of 33 factors per 100 misses. In such a detailed recreation, it’s undoubtedly a recreation changer for Boston.

#3 – Methods to assault the drop protection

One of many tips to attacking drop protection is the pick-and-pop, and Boston has the proper software for that with Porzingis. The massive man’s catch-and-shoots are the last word punishment for drop protection—if the Pelicans need to maintain Missi near the rim to disrupt the drives, the Celtics ship it to KP, and he drains it from three.

Missi is a rookie however has been probably the greatest rim protectors of the season to this point, so the Celtics needed to get inventive. The Celtics additionally used off-ball screens to pull Missi away from the rim or power the swap.

To punish the Pelicans’ drop, the Celtics additionally used the Spain pick-and-roll with a second screener behind Missi, who may also shoot from three. Utilizing a second three-point shooter behind the rim protector forces the protection to decide, usually leaving one participant open—right here, Payton Pritchard.

It’s clear that the Celtics are geared up to beat a drop protection.

#4 – Placing Zion Williamson in rotation

Zion Williamson was an all-time prospect—but, one in every of his well-known weaknesses is his off-ball protection. The Celtics’ teaching employees is nicely conscious of that. Subsequently, one of many Celtics’ targets was to power him to rotate on the rim as a low man.

To take action, they’d put the participant Zion is matching up with on protection within the weak-side nook. This turns Zion into the low-man assistance on the motion. With that, the Celtics had been in a position to put strain on the previous All-NBA participant and take a look at his protection.

Zion isn’t a complete defensive legal responsibility. His on-ball protection and defensive playmaking create turnovers and transition alternatives—but, the Celtics knew he had a weak spot and located methods to take advantage of it.

#5 – Jaylen Brown playmaking within the second

Jaylen Brown’s passing has at all times been a scorching matter of dialog. When he’s not enjoying alongside Jayson Tatum, there’s extra room for him to point out his playmaking enchancment. Certainly, with Jayson Tatum off the ground, Jaylen Brown’s help numbers improve considerably (from 5 to 10 assists per 100 possessions, in accordance with pbpstats.com).

Final evening was an awesome instance of how good Jaylen Brown has change into in comparison with earlier than. On a few performs, from a drive or a pick-and-roll scenario, Jaylen Brown was capable of finding Luke Kornet alone on the rim.

With Jaylen Brown’s skill to draw a couple of defender, his passing may open extra issues for him and the Celtics on offense. The Celtics’ offense has at all times struggled with Jayson Tatum on the bench—nevertheless, since final season, the Celtics have been in a position to maintain the offense going when their go-to man sat.

It’s nonetheless inferior to with him on the ground, however Jaylen Brown’s passing enchancment helps quite a bit. The examples from final evening confirmed he’s getting nearer to the all-around participant followers need him to be.

#6 – Jayson Tatum isolation expertise

With 6 isolations per recreation on 1.16 factors per possession effectivity, Jayson Tatum is one of the best isolation participant within the NBA. Final evening, regardless of a foul taking pictures evening, Jayson Tatum scored 38 factors.

He dominated one-on-one, making 8 of his 11 makes an attempt on the rim and producing 11 free throws.

Just like the Celtics general, Jayson Tatum confirmed there’s extra to his recreation than simply the three-pointer with this efficiency. Within the Celtics’ elite spacing, Jayson Tatum appears unstoppable.

#7 – Slowing down Zion Williamson

The Celtics’ protection has been one other scorching matter of dialog these days, and Zion was an awesome problem for them. To cease such an offensive power, the Celtics needed to work collectively. As Zion gravitates across the rim, the Celtics crowded the paint across the former 1st general decide.

The Celtics did an awesome job of defending the rim, permitting the Pelicans to take solely 20% of their photographs on the rim. On prime of that, Zion Williamson solely made 5 of 15 of his makes an attempt, displaying the Celtics did an awesome job at slowing him down.

#8 – Pelicans searching Horford

The Pelicans aren’t well-known for his or her searching expertise, but final evening, they did an awesome job attacking Al Horford. When Al Horford was on the courtroom with one other huge man, he was defending Zion Williamson.

Subsequently, the Pelicans would run pick-and-rolls, the place the dearth of mobility and velocity from Al Horford and the opposite huge man created gaps within the protection that Zion may exploit. When Zion was off the courtroom, Al Horford would assist up enjoying protection on Trey Murphy—which was additionally an awesome problem for the veteran.

Later within the recreation, Jayson Tatum switched onto the younger wing, who scored 30 factors, to gradual him down—and it labored fairly nicely.

#9 – Dejounte Murray loves inexperienced

As soon as once more, Dejounte Murray appeared unstoppable in opposition to the Celtics. Since his stretch in Atlanta, Murray has been enjoying rather well in opposition to the Celtics, and final evening was no exception.

Offensively, Dejounte Murray has been struggling this season. His effectivity has by no means been this low, with 0.95 factors per shot try. Final evening, his offense was unstoppable. He nearly made a triple-double and hit 6 three-pointers out of 9 makes an attempt.

Over his minutes, the Pelicans had a +7 plus/minus and will have stolen a recreation at TD Backyard. This additionally reveals that the Pelicans are higher than their document suggests—they’re principally slowed down resulting from accidents.

#10 – Celtics’ opponents are making loads of threes

Over the past 10 video games, 7 opponents have made greater than 38% of their threes. Then again, the Celtics are struggling past the arc. Whereas the Celtics are in the midst of a taking pictures droop, it appears just like the opponents are heating up from three.

Whereas it’s principally variance and dangerous luck, it’s additionally a reminder that Celtics’ opponents usually carry their A-game and are extremely centered—able to attempt their finest to beat the champs.